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Saturn V, with an Apollo program payload of a Command Module, Service Module, and Lunar Module. The three had a total mass of 45 t (99,000 lb).[3][4] When the third stage and Earth-orbit departure fuel was included, Saturn V actually placed 140 t (310,000 lb) into low Earth orbit.[5] The final launch of Saturn V placed a 77,111 kg (170,001 lb) payload into LEO.

Energia launched two payloads, before the program was cancelled: the Polyus weapons platform at approximately 80 t (180,000 lb) and Buran orbiter, only one of which reached orbit. The system was designed to launch up to 105 t (231,000 lb) to low Earth orbit.[8][9] Polyus failed to enter orbit due to a software error on the kick-stage.

The Space Shuttle and Buran differed from traditional rockets in that both launched what was essentially a reusable, manned stage that carried cargo internally.

Falcon Heavy is rated to launch 63.8 t (141,000 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO) in a fully expendable configuration and an estimated 57 t (126,000 lb) in a partially reusable configuration, in which only two of its three boosters are recovered.[10][11][b] Neither of these configurations has been flown as of March 2019. The first test flight occurred on 6 February 2018, in a configuration in which recovery of all three boosters was attempted, with a small payload of 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) sent to an orbit beyond Mars[13][14]. All three configurations are operational in the sense of being 'available to procure' after all necessary test flights completed, but the super-heavy-lift classification remains unproven until such a heavy payload has been launched.

The Space Launch System (SLS) is a super heavy-lift launch vehicle currently under development in the U.S. by NASA.[28] The Block 1 configuration is currently targeted for launch in June 2020,[16] with other configurations of increasingly higher lift capacities from 2023 to 2029.[20] Block 1 will be capable of launching a minimum of 70 t (150,000 lb) to low-Earth orbit, and approximately 26 t (57,000 lb) to a trans-lunar injection point.[29][30]

The 140 t (310,000 lb) to LEO capable Long March 9 has been proposed by China.[31] It has a targeted capacity of 50 t (110,000 lb) to lunar transfer orbit and first flight by 2030.[32]

In August 2016, Russia's RSC Energia announced plans to develop a super heavy-lift launch vehicle using existing components instead of pushing the less-powerful Angara A5V project.[33][34] This would allow Russia to launch missions towards establishing a permanent Moon base with simpler logistics, launching just one or two 80-to-160-tonne super-heavy rockets instead of four 40-tonne Angara A5Vs implying quick-sequence launches and multiple in-orbit rendezvous.[33] In February 2018, the КРК СТК (space rocket complex of the super-heavy class) design was updated to lift at least 90 tonnes to LEO and 20 tonnes to lunar polar orbit, and to be launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome.[35] The project is called Yenisei[36] and the first flight is scheduled for 2028, with Moon landings starting in 2030.[26]

Comparison of Saturn V, Sea Dragon and Interplanetary Transport System

Comparison of Space Shuttle, Ares I, Saturn V and Ares V

Numerous super-heavy lift vehicles have been proposed and received various levels of development prior to their cancellation.

As part of the Soviet Lunar Project four N1 rockets with a payload capacity of 95 t (209,000 lb), were launched but all failed shortly after lift-off (1969-1972).[37] The program was suspended in May 1974 and formally cancelled in March 1976.[38][39]

The U.S. Ares V for the Constellation program was intended to reuse many elements of the Space Shuttle program, both on the ground and flight hardware, to save costs. The Ares V was designed to carry 188 t (414,000 lb) and was cancelled in 2010, though much of the work has been carried forward into the SLS program.

A 1962 design proposal, Sea Dragon, called for an enormous 150 m (490 ft) tall, sea-launched rocket capable of lifting 550 t (1,210,000 lb) to low Earth orbit. While the design was validated by TRW, the project never moved forward due to the closing of NASA's Future Projects Branch.[40][41]

SpaceX's first publicly released design of its Mars transportation infrastructure was the ITS launch vehicle unveiled in 2016. The payload capability was to be 550 t (1,210,000 lb) in an expendable configuration (equal to the Sea Dragon) or 300 t (660,000 lb) in a reusable configuration.[42] In 2017, it was succeeded by BFR.

^"Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation"(PDF). Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee. NASA. October 2009. p. 64-66. ...the U.S. human spaceflight program will require a heavy-lift launcher ... in the range of 25 to 40 mt ... this strongly favors a minimum heavy-lift capacity of roughly 50 mt....

^ ab"Russia's A5V moon mission rocket may be replaced with new super-heavy-lift vehicle". RT.com. 22 August 2016. Energia and Roscosmos are “working on a super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV) that would use an engine that we already have, the RD-171,” Vladimir Solntsev told Izvestia newspaper. [...] The proposed new SHLLV would initially have a LEO lift of 80 tonnes with a potential to increase the figure to 120 tonnes or even 160 tonnes, according to Solntsev.